“I always had a big breakfast, that is the foundation for a long life”

And last night he shared one of the most inspiring HoD stories yet – this man’s musings on life coming up to his 89th birthday later this week.

He began:

“On the 23rd of this month I’ll be 89 years of age. I was born in 1928 and I feel almost as fit as when I was eighteen, at least my mind anyway.”

The key to that youthful mind? Getting up early, having a big fry and taking a long walk:

I worked for forty-nine years and I was never out a day sick. I was working on the docks out in the fresh air from eight in the morning, sometimes till late and it didn’t do me any harm. I always had a big breakfast, that is the foundation for a long life! Two rashers, two sausages, an egg, a fried tomato, bread and butter and a cup of tea.

They made me retire when I turned 65 so ever since, I’m up every morning, ten minutes to seven, seven days a week. I eat my breakfast and I go for a long walk, all the way out to Ballsbridge and back. That’s a mile there and a mile back and I do the same after tea as well. Its keeping me fit and I love every moment of it. I feel fit, you know?

He got some sad news a few years ago, but couldn’t be happier with his lot in life:

Unfortunately, my wife died three years ago, but I have three girls and two boys; all of them married, proper and right, in the church and none of them have ever let me down. They are up every weekend and sometimes I go down to visit them and stay over for a dinner or a tea. I also have about 13 grandchildren. I’d say I’m about to get a phone call saying there’s another addition to the family. I feel great, I’ve done my share! I always say; life is what you make it yourself!